The Barn

by Avi

The schoolmaster says nine-year-old Benjamin is the finest student he's ever seen-fit for more than farming; destined for great things someday But his father's grave illness brings Ben home,from school and compels him to strive forsomething great right now -- to do the one thing that will please Father so much he'll want to live. But first Ben must convince his older sister andbrother to work with him. And together, they succeed in ways they never dreamed possible.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Juvenile

106 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1994

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few authors for young readers whose every word on the page carries a little added weight. Howard Pyle, Esther Forbes, Russell Freedman, Laurie Halse Anderson, and Gary D. Schmidt are in that group, but so is Avi. Nine-year-old Ben has been away at school for seven months in the year 1855 when one day Schoolmaster Dortmeister summons him. Ben is a smart, hardworking student, so Mr. Dortmeister can't have an academic bone to pick. No...Ben's father has taken ill on the family farm in the Willamette Valley, some thirty miles from the school. His fifteen-year-old sister Nettie has come to retrieve him, but what will Ben find at home?

Attending school was never Ben's plan; his mother insisted on it before her death, and Ben's father wouldn't deny her final wish. Father sees Ben as destined for more than grueling labor on a failing farm. When he arrives, Ben is astonished by the condition Father is in. He cannot walk or talk; only his eyes seem under his control. His hands jerk convulsively. Nettie and their thirteen-year-old brother Harrison are convinced death is inevitable. Ben agrees to be Father's nurse while the two of them plow the fields every day, but he is repulsed by what he must do. Feeding an invalid and cleaning out his soiled pants is a far cry from school, but Ben cannot tend the fields as efficiently as Nettie and Harrison. Father grows more frail by the day; what will befall their family if he orphans them?

Ben hits upon a communication method with Father based on the feeble man's blinking. To Nettie and Harrison's amazement he's able to answer simple questions. Ben fiercely clings to the hope that this is progress. What was Father's most ambitious goal before his collapse? To erect a storage barn, protecting the family's investment in the farm. Speaking with Father through blinks, Ben realizes this is still his dream; seeing it come to fruition could motivate him to recover. Nettie and Harrison are skeptical, but they help Ben commence work on a new barn. Can three kids complete such a big project in addition to their daily jobs before another catastrophe strikes?

What should you do when progress on a serious goal to improve your life is likely to be wiped out at any time? Choosing to stay stagnate isn't the answer, but motivation is a thorny prospect. Building a barn from scratch is a tall order, and life has a way of toppling our walls in an instant. It's tempting not to start construction at all, remaining where you are today, a year, ten years from now. Beginning a major project requires faith that even if the walls should crumble, you'll be better off because you're playing offense in the game of life. That's Ben's trajectory, and I want it to be my own.

The Barn isn't Avi's most exciting or insightful work, but it doles out a gritty, messy piece of life to chew on. You can't select your own luck, but your attitude and reactions are up to you. Poor or wealthy, tragedy can swoop in at any time, and those willing to adapt are in the best position to emerge from it. I'd rate The Barn two and a half stars but round to three; it's a story I'm sure to think back on.

[Lola Salamah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction book by Avi, was engaging, yet very gloomy. In 1855, set in Oregon, a young boy named Benjamin, preferred name Ben, must return home from boarding school due to his father's ailing health. Early on, Ben’s parents realized his academic potential and following his mother's death, his father decided to honor her death by sending Ben to school. His brother Harrison and sister Nettie stayed behind to help their father on the farm. After their father suffered from Palsy, or a stroke, Nettie called for Ben to come back from school. Ben took on the task of watching over his father while Harrison and Nettie tended to the farm. Ben’s hope for his father to heal was established from pursuing his father’s dream to build a barn. Although hesitant, Nettie and Harrison agreed to build the barn. The night the barn was built, their father passed away during the night. This book was emotionally strong, perhaps even depressing, and for a group of third graders, it can be grasping and absorbing to learn of the struggles a typical 9-year-old faced, plus the struggles of children who had to care for their parents. This book is a great way to portray in what way times have changed for children. Schooling was a luxury and work was a necessity that often started very young. Entertainment in their lives were scarce, yet they seemed pleased with their accomplishments. These children cut down trees, built a foundation and hauled logs to build a barn. They cared for themselves, fed themselves and took care of everything. The reader can certainly reflect on how times have changed and how we are blessed to have more conveniences than children of a century and a half ago. I would recommend and assign this book to be an independent reader for a third or fourth grader. Having very short chapters, it would make it easier for the reader to read it some every day, or very quickly if they wanted. I am fond of happy endings and a “feel-good” book, however this book captured me for the rawness of the hardships of this family. Historically this was a reality for most people settling in the west, and I appreciate the upfront approach it had.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben, away at school in Portland, Oregon, fulfilling his dead mother’s dream, is told his father is sick, and his sister is there to take him home.

In fact, his father has had a severe stroke, can’t move or speak, and has left 9 year old Ben, his 13 year old brother and older sister to fend for themselves.

Out of potential tragedy and a need to survive, his two older siblings plow and plant the fields, while Ben tends to his dad, and then decides to fulfill his dad’s dream – to build a much needed barn for the animals.

Seeing the barn as a way to bring his dad back from his stroke, the three kids outline a foundation; drag rocks from the creek, and beginning building their dad’s dream.

Avi has again told a simple story of courage, strength, and self sufficiency that is both riveting as it is heart warming.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely not meant for light entertainment!

Benjamin is 9 years old and away at school, having been seen by his father as being the most promising of his three children academically speaking. Things seem to be going well, right up until Benjamin's father becomes very sick. Now Benjamin has come home, and discovers that while he's not big enough to help farm their homestead in Oregon, he can help to care for his father who is in a vegetative state.

This is a hard book to read, because I've been through this, having taken care of my mother for many months after her stroke. To imagine a child having to deal with this, is incredibly sad. How difficult for Benjamin and his siblings. It's no wonder he latches onto the idea of building the barn his father has always wanted as a means of trying to bring his father back to them all. In fact, he becomes obsessive about the project, he's so sure of a positive outcomes.

Of course, life doesn't work that way, meaning this is a book destined for heartbreak. I wanted to grab this poor kid and hug him or something, he was just trying so hard.

Maybe this is why I don't like this book. There's really no hope, and I at least (and I think many readers would as well) knew this coudln't possibly go well. The story was just too negative, too sad. It's Avi though, meaning it's a well-researched book, and sucks you into the story. But it's not one I would give to a child to read without good reason.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short, rather depressing story of a highly intelligent nine year boy who is brought home from boarding school because his father has suffered from a stroke that leaves him in a semi catatonic state. He and his older brother and sister are left alone to manage their hundred acre farm claim and take care of their father as best they can.

The boy discovers that they can communicate with their father through blinks and begins to believe they can save him by fulfilling his dream of building a new barn.

Spoiler: they can't and their father dies.

I'm not sure exactly what the point of the story was, aside from that sometimes bad things happen and we have to get through them as best we can. I'm not sure why you would need a book to teach you that.

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this little book, because I like Avi, and the story is set in my home state (before it became a state). I gave this story 4 stars, because of the quality of the writing. (Avi is an amazing writer!) However, the story is SO SAD!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story set in 1855. The youngest son was sent away to school. His older brother was at home helping the father and the daugther was playing mother since the mother was sick. The son at school, Benjamin was sent home after an accident involving his father. He always thought he would go back to school. He went home to find out his father had a stroke like condition. He would not talk, communicate and could not feed or clean himself. The three young children learned to work as a team. Benjamin was left at the house to care for his father all day while the older kids went to tend the fields. Benjamin was able to get his father to blink and actually respond a little to questions he asked. The father had wanted a new barn put up so Benjamin would want to come visit from school. The father became sick before the barn was built. The three kids learned to depend on each other and they built the barn. Benjamin thought by building the barn his father would get better. I love the quote " if you wear your mothers dressed you get your mothers life". Also, "people who talk about luck a lot dont think much of themselves". I got lost during the barn measurement, but it was still a great story about determination and getting past differences for a common goal. I cried at the end, he could not bear to take the barn without giving you something in return, that was his gift to you.

[Jocelyn Bystrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started off my summer 2018 reading with ‘The Barn’ as it had been recommended to me by 5th grade colleagues online. I’ve loved joining this group of 5th grade educators online, who share ideas, resources and their passion to create amazing learning opportunities for students.

This book is not a light read; but one to think deeply about. What would you be willing to do to support your family in a time of crisis or hard times? How do we keep our love alive for a loved one who’s died leaving a big hole in our heart? What might we do to honour their life and help us work through our grief?

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would put this book right alongside Gary Paulsen's book,
"Alida's Song" and Will Weaver's series, "Farm Team" books.
How one young man works to save his father's farm.
About growning up, responsibility, and family.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Still) THE BEST.

[Amara Tanith]

Avi's The Barn is an incredibly straightforward (and short) story about coping with an impending loss. In the story, the main character is pulled from his boarding school after his father suffers a "fit" (i.e., a stroke or something similar) that leaves him incapable of almost any movement or communication. The plot is exceptionally simple: Ben, the main character, wants his father to live, and so he mires his way through the bargaining stage of grief by assuming himself that if he and his siblings can just build the barn his father wanted, then surely his father will live.

But because that's not how mortality actually works, Ben's father eventually dies, making this a story not only about the grief of caring for a dying loved one but also of the sad and inevitable end of hospice care. I think I rather like that it's never clear whether or not Ben's father is really communicating with his children as best he can, or whether it's truly wishful thinking on Ben's part. That uncertainty ties in well with the overall theme and emotional work of the story.

What I didn't like, unfortunately, was Ben himself. Not that I can really point to anything that should've been done differently; Ben was written exactly as Ben had to have been written in order for the story to communicate what Avi intended it to communicate... But goddamn did that make it kind of a slog to get through. While I would have considerable sympathy for an actual child in Ben's position, reading about Ben's stubborn desperation--and possible delusions, if we're being honest--was deeply aggravating even with the complete justification of his grief, confusion, and tumult of emotions.

I think, in the end, this book just wasn't for me. It was all very expertly done, but nothing it did was anything I particularly enjoyed. If you're looking for a story about a child dealing with a terminally ill parent, this one is exactly what you would expect it to be--and, quite probably, exactly what you need it to be. Just remember that children reading this book will likely need some emotional support to help cope with the events of the story, regardless of whether or not they are personally dealing with anything similar losses in their own lives; this truly is a story about hardship and grief and mourning, and while I'm sure this can be a great starting point for teaching kids how to handle those kinds of serious emotions, they're definitely going to need some extra help with the process.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once upon a time as younger child I had to read this book in school. I had hated reading it. Recently I have challenged myself to go back and read books that I disliked growing up to find out why I disliked them. This was first on my list. I must admit though I read it very quickly (started it last night and finished it tonight) I still don't really care for this book. Reading it as an adult it hurts to look back and realize kids have read it. The book's story is very grim. Ben is just nine years old (which is probably why kids read it) When his father suffers from a fit of Palsy, causing him to become catatonic and paralyzed. Ben is fetched from school to come home and help his siblings Nettie and Harrison take care of their father and the land. As they adjust to their new normal, Ben finds a way to communicate with his father through blinking and eventually some small hand movements. Eventually Ben is able to communicate with his father about the barn that he had been planning on building before his debilitating fit, and the siblings begin to build the barn. Ben hopes that by building this barn, it will help their father recover from his illness. This however does not happen, and their father does end up passing away in the end. The book is very dark for a child's book and not very relatable to many children. I'm sure this book does have some people it relates to, as I saw a few reviews mentioning relatable situations, but the average kid probably cannot relate to losing a parent at such a young age. I'm glad I gave the book a second chance, as I have went from a deep hate, to just an understandable dislike. I probably would not read this book again, but at least I gave it another chance.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read for children of all ages. Although, the time period is closer to mine than children today, it allows for a glimpse of what the world use to be. Where in today's world would you have children ages 15, 13 and 9 that could manage to keep their lives together and do the work to feed themselves? NOT most children today. I think this book is an important read for children to understand that they can have power to survive.

For me, the most important thing to learn is that regardless of what happens, a person can survive if they think their way through the situation. I loved that Benjamin, despite being the youngest is able to direct the laying out of the barn and responsible enough to take care of his father. Hopefully each child who reads this book would think that they could do these things as well if the situation was similar. What kids today build a fort? Tree house? or work in gardens?

In addition, the book shows the difference in the world today and then that children are not the center and that some of the things they are so use to could disappear quickly. I thought it was just a really good book. But hey, I come from a more rural family where children were expected to pitch in and help to the best of their ability.

Very thoughtful read and one that can be used based on teaching moments. A strong 4 stars.

Happy Reading!

[Grace Swartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows three children: Ben, Harrison, and Nettie. Their father has become ill with "palsy". the three children have to learn to take care of their severely ill father, the farm they are living on and just begin to take care of each other. Their father had always wanted to build a barn out in the pastor but never got around to it. One day Ben comes up with the idea of creating the barn in hopes of showing his father and making his father's dreams come true. Will their father make it to see the barn be built?

I would read this book in 4th grade as a whole class read aloud. Having end of chapter checkin's to make sure students are understanding specifically the character development in the story.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine-year-old Benjamin, one of the finest students his schoolmaster has seen, is called home to the farm when his father falls ill. Benjamin and his older brother and sister must decide if they will stay on the land and keep working, or leave and lose the property their father worked so hard for.

Interesting tale showing the interaction between Benjamin, the smartest in the family, and his older siblings as they struggle to take care of the farm and make decisions that will affect all of them for years to come.

[Candida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is considered a children's book but it is a lot to take in for a third grader. The little boy in the story has his world ripped apart and he has to become the adult. His older siblings are aching to start their own lives and he is just a little kid trying to make his father's wish come true, to build a barn. He pins all his hopes for a normal life again on completing the barn. This story is intense.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short book for 5th and 6th graders. The main character is nine, but it might be a bit much for nine. Though the teacher is only in the book for a short time, it's refreshing he is a good guy. The characters seem really grown up for their age, but I think that's part of the point. Their circumstance made them grow up faster. The depiction of how to take care of an invalid is accurate. I love the emphasis of how geometry applies to real life.

[Christopher Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I am amazed at Avi's ability to move between genres. This one is about a homesteading family in Oregon who have already lost their mother when their father becomes completely disabled by a stroke. The kids, two brothers and a sister, determine to build the barn their father had wanted to build. Does not pull punches on the hardships of pioneering life but also remains accessible to young readers, which is Avi's strength.

[Leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very touching story about three siblings working together under extreme circumstances and coming out on top. My only reservation is that the author plainly describes a very sad thing. I’m not sure how that would be interpreted by an audience younger than twelve. For myself, an adult, I found the book to be both heart-wrenching and heart-warming.

[Thistle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but it was either very dated or written as if it were supposed to be. Also, it was written for younger-than-YA audiences. Either way, it was the writing, not the story, that made me drop the book.

The story followed a very smart kid, back in the 1800s or so. His father had a stroke or some kind of fit, and so the kid was pulled out of school to stay with his family. DNF

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book difficult to read. The 9 year old main character comes home from boarding school to find his father a shell of his former self due to a stroke. This hit a little close to home for me. I wasn't a big fan of the whole thing, but the last chapter (actually just a paragraph) still brought tears to my eyes. A 3 star book, but that ending raised it up another notch to 4 stars.

[Liza Maggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very heavy topic. Realistic, but sad ending. Does Ben go back to school? Why couldn't Ben and his siblings accept help? The gift of the barn would still have been from them. I don't see kids loving this as much as some of Avi's other books, but great for a young person who has a relative who's had a sroke.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grit and determination, mixed with love, family and hardwork is this story of a family that comes together to give their father one last gift. My 4 star rating is a compromise between young adult readers and adults. A very easy read for adults. A most read for pre teen and young teens.

[Emily Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that is relatable, and filled with imagery to make your tears well. Even the stone cold, and the bold will turn squirmish while reading of the pain that could happen to anyone at anytime. Non-material fears will be recognized through this writing.

[Molly Vaughan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Avi can be dark. This book was one of the darker ones. It is, however, a great book about dealing with very grownup difficulties - a sick parent. Avi is always very good at stories of the struggles of growing up.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Barn
By Avi
1994

A very short and quick young adult novel about a young boy that leaves school to assist his older siblings in taking care of his ailing father and the family's farm.
Avi uses blunt brevity to tell a story of pain, poignantly and honestly.

3 stars.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small book, but impressive, touching, inspirational in its own way. I don't always care for Avi's books, but this award-winning book is well worth a read. I wish more kids of today read worthwhile books like these.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Great topic.
Could easily be used in ELA class for examples of several literary terms. Personally feel that students could relate to the topic even though most may not understand why a barn was so important.

[Cortney Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my three year old son & found the bond between the young siblings and their dedication to their dying father and family legacy to be endearing and inspiring. It was an easy and heartfelt read that we enjoyed!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Prob would rate this higher for a JF audience but I wasn't too impressed